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I don't want to go back. He clearly doesn't need me there so what's the point? He's a grown man with his life obviously together. He has a job and a home to live in. He's done fine throughout the entire time Alice wasn't here so what would have changed his independency to dependency on a small girl? It doesn't make sense. I've decided; I'll leave him be and concentrate on my work.
I trotted around the amusement park enjoying the happy go lucky smiles of the faceless around me. They have no idea of the predicament I'm in. It's strange, really. I sighed, opening the door to Mary's office. He glanced up, his frown uplifting to a smile. Huh? He looked upset...
"Ah, Jackie! Have you-,"
"I've finished all the rides." I quickly answered.
"It's surprising it all got done in a matter of days! You are a very skilled worker." Mary praised. I smiled, enjoying his praise for my hard work. It almost makes up for the stress built up over the long days. He shuffled his papers, shifting through the various work as I turned to leave.
"Ah! Jackie, where were you off to late the other night?"
"Huh?" Oh crap; he saw me leave?
"Well Boris was returning from one of his little castle raids and he said he saw you heading towards the clock tower. That's quite interesting." His smile grew into a smirk as he looked me over with a new sense. I frowned. He's being an idiot again...
"What are you implying?" I growled. I'm not in the mood for this at all!
"Well~ it seems to me that you were in quite the mood the past few days and, accompanied by you sneaking out to go see Julius...is all very interesting~," He sang with a smirk dancing around his lips. I gritted my teeth resisting the urge to bash his face in. I huffed angrily, pulling up a chair. I can see I'm not getting very far until I answer his nagging questions. He leaned forward with his hand on his chin with an excited smile.
"Well, Alice asked me to look after the clockmaker while she and Blood went on vacation. I have no idea why she would; Julius is a grown man and can take care of himself!" I found myself spitting the last two sentences with as much venom as I could manage. I swear Alice is kind for worrying about him but this is ridiculous!
"I see~ Jackie, did you know that Julius is a workaholic?" Gowland asked with a slightly darker tone. I perked up; huh?
"Uh, yeah? I've seen the work he has. Why?" Why are you asking me the obvious Mary?
"And did you also know that before Alice came to wonderland he would quite often pass out with a fever because of a lack of coffee? He rarely has time to make it himself. Oh, and did I also mention that sometimes he gets so involved with his work that he forgets to eat sometimes for days on end? How else would that man be so-,"
"Alright alright! I get it! I'll go see how Julius is doing!" I jumped up, smacking his desk to gain his smug attention, "And when I see that Julius is perfectly fine you will never speak of this to anyone ever again!" He nodded in a solemn agreement with a victorious simper.
"Of course. And when you find him passed out on the ground please let me know." He smartly returned. I whipped out the door quickly walking down the cobblestone path.
He's kidding right? What kind of sane person would work until he literally drops?! Julius isn't an idiot! He's actually got brains here in this whacked out world. He's trustworthy. He's not some hopeless idiot like-
"Hey Jackie!" I skidded to a halt running right into hopeless idiot number one. Ace constricted his arms around me pulling me into a tight hug.
"Ah, thanks! I couldn't wait to see you too~," He hummed. I shoved against his chest. I hate it when people touch me! What's the need to? It's not necessary to convey feelings; words are enough!
"Get off Ace!" I scowled, shoving against his stomach. He grunted from the hard pressed hit.
"Aw~ that's not very nice." He pouted, loosening his hold but still kept me trapped in his grasp.
"Let go. I need to go check on Julius." My lips sealed tight from the slip up; oh crap. The last person in wonderland I would want to know what I'm doing has found out...
"Check on Julius?" Ace asked, perplexed.
"Yeah. I promised Alice I would take care of him." I guiltily admitted. Even though I haven't gone for a few days...
"Oh I see! Here, let me take you to Julius-,"
"No." I flatly growled. His sense of direction will lead me into the middle of the forest when we are only a few blocks from the tower!
"But-,"
"Ace, just let me lead-!" I latched onto his arm dragging him down the path in a fast paced jog. Why am I rushing? It's not like he's going to die in the next ten minutes. He's fine. He's just fine! My feet pattered faster against the pavement as I found myself sprinting to the tower with a racing heart. Oh please don't be dead! I literally rammed down the door as I flew up the stairs breathing hard as I whipped in front of the office's wide open door. Julius was on his stomach lying on the ground, panting heavily with a flushed face.
"J-Julius?!" I shouted, rushing to his side. I pressed my hand to his forehead before hastily retracting the sizzling flesh. He's burning up-!
"Aw~ did Julius forget to get his coffee again?" Ace teased, tugging on Julius's long hair. Julius's face crumpled slightly from Ace's rough behavior. Rage consumed me as I slapped Ace's arm with a powerful blow. He quickly retracted his hand, wising up.
"Ow. That hurt, Jackie." Ace whined pulling back his hand to blow on the reddening mark.
"Don't touch him Ace! He's sick-!" I growled at the man's stupidity. I gently tilted Julius's head my way examining his composure. His chest rose and fell unevenly as he huffed every breath with sweat beading around his flushed face. My hand twitched, wanting to hit the stupid clockmaker. What the hell is wrong with him?! I thought he was smart enough to take care of himself!
"Ace, help me move Julius to his bed." I latched onto one of Julius's arms, waiting for Ace to take the other.
And waited.
And waited.
"Ace?" I questioned, looking over my shoulder to his stupidly smiling face as he leaned against the wall. "Ace come and help me."
"No." He answered grinning ear to ear.
"No?" I asked, dumbfounded. What does he mean by no?!
"Well, you told me not to touch him. And as a knight I must abide by your wishes." His cheerful smile became a little darker. "Of course, if you beg me I might reconsider."
"Beg you?" I asked, questioning his sanity. Which he has none, of course.
"I want you to get on your knees and beg the mister knight to help the damsel in distress." He purred, reaching out and caressed my jaw. My lips parted slightly as he leaned in for what I could only assume was a kiss. I snatched his pointer finger in my teeth, crushing it through the foul tasting glove.
"Ow!" Ace cried, dropping to his knees. I released the innocent digit letting him nurse his stupid hand.
"Would you knock it off?! If you're not going to help then you can just leave!" I snapped, freezing as the last sentence rolled off my tongue. Ace's eyes flashed as a smirk pulled his lips up from my little slip up. "No that's not what I-!,"
"Ok. See you around Jackie." Ace happily hummed as he maneuvered around me, exiting through the door. I rushed forward, whipping the door back.
"Ace-!" I shouted but it was too late. He was already out the door merrily on his way to nowhere leaving me with an unconscious Julius. I smacked my forehead against the wall. Oh that stupid idiot...the next time I get my hands on him I'll strangle the stupid out of him!
I sighed, trying to release my anger. Relax. What's done is done. I just need to concentrate on what to do with Julius right now. I peeked back into the room. How am I going to move him? I'm strong but...guys are heavy. I may have my pride to defend but I'm not an idiot. I'm just simply not as strong as most of them are. But I guess I'll never know unless I try, right? I hurried back into the room thinking of a variety of positions that I could use to potentially carry the man. And then after words I can go fetch a doctor real quick. Enough thinking. Time for some action.
I dipped down, hitching my arms beneath his armpits and held to the other hand in an awkward hug. I sucked in a deep breath pulling with all my might up. He barely budged. I growled, working his way up onto my crouching lap and between my hips. I can't do this with my arms alone; I'm going to need some major leg power in there too. I huffed, pushing and pulling with both my legs and arms. I barely lifted him any higher. I leaned back before his body could slip back down, edging him onto my torso until his head rested on my clavicle. This is as high as he's going to get. I uneasily eyed his long legs which dragged on the ground.
...I'll just tell the doctor he...fell.
I edged backwards towards the door dragging his rasping body with me. A light shiver traveled down my spine from his hot breath caressing the skin on my neck with fiery embraces. I gritted my teeth; t-this is very uncomfortable. I hate being touched and now he's breathing on me...and on my neck, no less. I mean the neck is a very sensitive area. My brother even used to tease me about it...the stupid prick. I carefully slid my foot across the ground hitting something in the way. I gasped and shot my other leg back for balance but it was too late. I tightly gripped Julius as I fell back, smacking my head on the stone floor as the wind was shove out of my lungs from Julius's incredible weight.
"Ah-!" I squeaked as lights flashed in my eyes, painfully groaning. He's so heavy-! I squirmed and writhed under him as he laid limply over my body.
"J-Julius wake up-!" I shouted, slapping his cheeks. He didn't respond in the least. His head thumped lightly onto my chest as I huffed, trying to slid him off. He grumbled something under his breath automatically wrapping his arms around my torso.
"Get off Julius!" I growled, shoving against his shoulders. He mumbled something else and inhaled deeply snuggling closer to my chest. He's right between my freaking boobs-!
"Julius-!" I whimpered. This is too much-!
"So warm...," He whispered, panting heavily. An eruption of heat blasted over my entire body. My heart thrummed painfully as he squirmed his freezing body closer. W-what the hell is with this situation?! Suddenly I was very conscious of the man clutching my waist murmuring sweet praises. A faint blush spread across my face. This is bad...especially is someone finds me like this and-
"Oi, Jackie, so did I tell you or did I...tell you?" Mary stopped short as he looked into the room. My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach. What are the freaking chances...A smile fit for the Cheshire cat twisted his lips up.
"Ah~ perhaps I should leave you two for a bit-,"
"Don't you dare! And what the hell is wrong with him?! He has a fever and chills...!" I shouted worriedly, holding his feverish cheeks in my hands. He smiled, sauntering slowly into the room.
"Yes well, Julius has quite the withdrawal from coffee since he's so accustomed to the stuff. Heave ho~," He hummed, easily lifting Julius up with one arm. I scrambled to my feet touching Julius's arm. I feel absolutely pathetic that I can't even help carry the poor man...
"Oi, Jackie, go make some coffee for Julius. It'll have him up and about in a jiffy!" I perked up at the chance to be of some use. I dashed off to the kitchen - which was in the rooms I found when I first came here - and snatched the coffee maker, grinding the beans to perfection. I've done this before. I used to make coffee all the time for my father and brother. I personally think it tastes terrible but I never minded making it because the smell reminds me of, well, home. It's a very nice smell.
The second it was done I hurried off to Julius's room. I can't believe I was so stupid! But I never would have imagined Julius of all role holders to let himself go. He's one of the most responsible of them all! I hurried into the room watching as Mary tucked the grown man into the bed. Gowland sighed taking the coffee from me and placed it on the nightstand.
"Go home Jackie. I'll take care of Julius-,"
"No." Such an embarrassment...how could I just leave Julius after I promised Alice to help him? So pathetic! And now he's undermining my pride by taking the job off my hands? That's just sad...
"Hah?" He asked, looking back towards my slightly flushing face.
"It's my job. Alice asked me to watch him but I've neglected him. I'll take care of it properly." I steadily glared at the ground in utter humiliation. So embarassing...
"Are you sure?" Mary pried with a funny glint to his eye. I scowled at the nosy old man.
"It's my job!" I snapped before remorsefully adding on, "Thank you for helping, though. But I got it from here." A smile bloomed over his face.
"Anytime! Just let me know if you have any questions dear." He cheerfully cried heading towards the door. Alram shot through me.
"You're leaving?" I asked. He peered over his shoulder with a perverted old man smile.
"I just remembered that I have something I need to attend to!" He ludicrously claimed.
"It's the middle of the night, Mary." I said in a monotone voice but he was already out the door and heading down the stairs. I sighed. Annoying...I glanced over to Julius who was still huffing on the bed. Ah...I've made a terrible mistake. It's all my fault...I pulled up a small wooden chair setting it by his bed. His angelic features and smooth facial lines held my gaze captive. He's not just good looking - he's freaking beautiful! Every flawless feature is to perfection. From the slope of his perfect little nose to his perfectly lush lips...they look soft...my hand unconsciously stretched out touching the pink flesh. His lip easily molded under my gentle touch. A long sighed rolled warm air over my hand. So soft...
Oh good hell.
I hastily retracted my hand covering my wildly flushing face. What am I doing?! I'm acting like a perverted old man for crying out loud! This is Julius I'm talking about! The grumpy hermit that lives up in this tower. All alone. With hardly any visitors whatsoever. This guy...he's alone a lot. That's so...lonely. Compassion moved my icy heart towards the man. When I was younger I was often alone because no one ever wanted to come over or even see me...because of what? I'm a great person. But they've never gotten to know me at all so they never got to know my good side. I'm being pretty hypocritical calling him a grumpy hermit. I hardly know the guy. I sighed. I've made up my mind. Looks like this is going to become a somewhat full occupation. I'll probably take breaks here and there to take care of him...my heavy head laid against the bed as exhaustion took its toll. That I'll get to know him better and...a massive yawn interrupted my thoughts. Ah...I'm falling asleep...I closed my eyelids giving in to my body's desire.
I bet he's not such a grumpy hermit after all...
JULIUS'S POV
The delicate aroma of coffee invaded my dulled senses. My eyes cracked open to a pounding headache and my room's ceiling. Oh? I thought I collapsed in my workshop. Did I make it here instead? Accompanying the intoxicating scent was that of a sweet lilac smell which completely unknotted the muscles in my stiff body. My clock ticked a little faster. Alice...? I turned my head expecting to see light chestnut brown hair but instead found that of black and red pervading my vision. My clock jerked in rhythm as I shot up gazing over the unconscious girl.
...She came back...
Why did she return? Even after such a cold reception I gave her she still had the gall to return...what a sweet girl. Stupid, but sweet. If it were me I would have left myself to rot away in this cruel confinement. My gaze flickered towards the mug on the nightstand which had lost its heat to the cold. How long has she been here for? I reached for the chilled mug taking it in my hands before taking a sip. I stiffened slightly. This is actually quite good. It's obvious that she didn't acquire her skills through Alice thankfully. Such a sweet girl but her coffee skills are beyond fixable. She's even burned coffee before! A small chuckle ripped through my chest. Ah, I remember it well...
A light sigh brought my attention back to the slumbering girl. My eyes immediately noticed her fine details. Her slender jaws...her smooth skin...and her lusciously full lips too...they look soft. Softer than Alice's lips, even. So soft that they would mold right under my touch...my fingers delicately crossed her satin lips reveling in the coveting grace's which her mouth alone had. My clock ticked faster as I lightly tilted her head up. Her lips look so soft...My body leaned down on its own pushing my cold mouth over hers. Her lips formed readily to my proceeding mouth spreading a familiar warmth into my mouth and slowly travel through my body. So warm too...
Wait a minute.
I whipped my head back covering my sinful lips. How dare I taint her like this?! I...I can't do this. She is but a bird, free to wonder about the open sky as she pleases while I am nothing but a mangled clock cursed to forever stay in this cage of mine. I sighed, ashamed with my loose actions. I bet she would be disgusted if she ever found out I stole a kiss from her. I would never see her again...every fiber of my being rejected the possible outcome. No...I don't want her to leave me.
But it's for the best. I will tell her in the morning to leave. I do not want to risk tying her down as I nearly ha with Alice. I was so blinded that I was willing to hold her here with me and away from the world...I gripped the mug tightly. What a fool I was thinking that she returned my feelings. Before I knew it she had already run off with the Hatter. My clock ticked painfully. This shattered clock of mine will always serve as a remembrance for my brazen actions that seem like centuries ago.
No one will ever love the mortification.
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Sorry it took so long! I've been busy working on my other stories (Joker) and schoolwork. Inspiration hit an all time low for me~ so if you like the series PM me or review some ideas that I can go off of. You'll get your rightful credit. I just need an idea and I can take it from there. Any and all are welcome; you never know what will inspire a writer! REVIEW!